Could Thales Leites win in the UFC 97 odds? If the Blue Jackets can make the playoffs, you just never know.

After overcoming Pascal Leclaire’s injury, Ken Hitchcock’s face and death threats to Steve Mason at various points in the season, Columbus is finally going to Stanley Cup betting. Good on those kookie lads. Also, congrats to their fans; they’ve hung in with a decade’s worth of crappy teams. For all we know, they’re crazy playoff maniacs in NHL betting. It’ll be interesting to see what the fans can do.

it’ll also be interesting to see if (a) Rick Nash takes his game to a new level and (b) Steve Mason steals a series. You just never know in these playoffs; the parity is so good than anything can happen. Stanley Cup betting is shaping up to be the most exciting postseason since, in my opinion, 1993-94. Can’t wait.

I’m taking a break tomorrow for Easter but I’ll be back in full force with NHL betting playoff sportsbook picks on Monday…

Yes, yes, March Madness betting was on last night, but something magical — and HARDCORE — happened in NHL betting.

First-place Calgary coming to town: check. 5-0 shutout win over the Flames: check. Shutting out Calgary despite receiving death threats after the first period: CHECK. Steve Mason is the man.

And we thought Columbus had no die-hard hockey fans. Well, apparently it does, only they don’t cheer for Columbus. Peter Stenzel, a 52-year-old man who undoubtedly chows down on microwavable TV dinners and RC Cola for his dinner of choice, called the Nationwide Arena several times last night and threatened to “bomb and shoot” Steve Mason.  He was promptly caught thanks to caller ID — ever heard of *67, jackass? — and arrested.

The kicker for online betting fans: the guy was covered in Flames gear when the cops crabbed him. Almost as bad as O.J.’s blood being at the crime scene. Wait a second…

Anyhoo, if you weren’t starting to trust the Blue jackets at the sportsbook, you may want to start now. Steve Mason is the man.